Students from nursing colleges linked to Dow University of Health Sciences have started a protest against the Semester 4 re-take exams and current examination policies after 1,400 students were declared failed in English Literature.
The students said around 1,900 students appeared in the Semester 4 exams. They claimed that nearly 1,400 students were declared failed in just one subject, English Literature.
As a result of the protest, roads have been blocked from Hasan Square to NIPA Chowrangi in Karachi.
Students hold protest
The protest is being held outside the main campus of Dow University in Karachi. Students from around 50 nursing colleges are taking part in the protest. The protest is being organised by Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba.
The result has caused concern among the students. They have questioned the high number of failures in the subject.
Students demand changes to re-take exams
The protesting students have asked the university to cancel the current date sheet for the re-take exams. They also want the exams to be postponed so they can get enough time to prepare.
Students have also raised concerns about the examination fees. They said the fees are creating a financial burden for many students.
The students have demanded a major reduction in the re-take examination fee. They have also asked the university to extend the deadline for submitting the fee vouchers.
According to the students, the extension would help those from low- and middle-income families.
The students said they will continue their protest until their demands are addressed by the Dow University administration.
MDCAT 2026
Recently, the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) 2026 was held across Pakistan, including Karachi, on September 20.
A total of 138,158 candidates registered for the examination. According to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), the MDCAT in Sindh was conducted under the supervision of the SIBA Testing Services.
According to Sukkur IBA University Vice Chancellor Professor Asif Ahmed Sheikh, nine examination centres have been established in eight cities for the MDCAT in Sindh.
These include Karachi, Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Larkana, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas, Shaheed Benazirabad and Islamabad. One examination centre has been established in Islamabad.
